Cut-out alphabet toy.



W. H. S. ALEXANDER.

CUT-OUT ALPHABET TOY.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.23, 1916.

,2 263 Patented June 19, 1917.

7c 4 SHEETS-SHEET I.

W. H. S. ALEXANDER.

CUT-OUT ALPHABET TOY.

APPLICATION. FILED AUG-23. 191s.

,23,,26., Patented June 19, 1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

w. H. s. ALEXANDER.

CUT-OUT ALPHABET TOY.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.23. I9I6.

30,263, Patented June 19, 1917. 5

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3- W. H. S. ALEXANDER.

CUT-OUT ALPHABET TOY.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-23. I916.

Patented June 19, 1917.

- 4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

ED STA s A OUT-OUT ALrHABEr TOY.

' resident of Haddonfield, Camden county,

New Jersey, have invented certain Improvements in Cut-Out Alphabet Toys, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to alphabet cards or blocks as they are termed; and the object of my invention is to provide a structure in which the object or structure illustrated or named, whether an animal, bird, flower, or any other matter, shall be indicated by the outline of the block or card, in addition'to the picture of the animal, bird, flower or object upon such block or card and the name of the same in prominent lettering across;

the face of the blockor card. A further object of my'invention is to provide a structure of this character which may be cut into sections. In cutting the block into sections, I may so divide it that each section will bear one of the letters of the name of'the animal, bird, object, or flowerportrayed, or the block or card may be cut up in a manner precisely similar to the well known picture puzzles. In lieu of cutting or other-, wise separating the cards or blocks into sections of greater or less number, they may be left in outline only and provided with a substantially horizontal base portion whereby they may stand upright in grooved supports.

To facilitate collection or reassembly of the sections of the several blocks or cards when they are out up, the backs of the same are in diflerent shades or tones of color; or are printed with special designs; or lined in a particular manner; the color or design of the back of each block or card differing from the backs of all the other blocks or cards.

These and other features of my invention are more fully described hereinafter, ref erence being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1, is a front .view illustrating one of the animal cards or blocks.

Fig. 2, is a rear view of the block or card shown in Fig. 1; the same being lined for color differentiation. i l

Fig. 3, is a sectional view on the line IIIIII, Fig. 2, showing one manner in which the blocks can be used. as a toy or a plaything for a child.

Fig. 4, is a view similar to Fig. 1, of a Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented une 19, 1917.

Application filed August 23, 1916. Serial No. 116,491.

bird card or block made in accordance with my invention.

Figs. 5 and'6, are views of such bird card or block of the same character as Figs. 2 and 3.

Fig. 7, is a view similar to Figs. 1 and 4, of a flower block or card made in accordance with my invention.

Figs. 8 and 9, are views of such flower block or card of the same character as Figs. 2 and 3.

Fi 10, is a view similar to Figs. 1, 4 and of an object card or block made in accordance with my invention, and

Figs. 11 and 12, are views of such object card or block of the same character as Figs. 2 and 3. v

In all instances, the card or block representing any animal, bird, flower, or inanimate object, will have an outline or contour the shape. of the animal, bird, flower or object portrayed. This construction possesses considerable educational value, because it fastens at once in the mind of the child the shape ofthe more or less familiar thing which is named, which name thereby becomes associated with the animal, bird, flower, or other object forming the subject of the block'o-r card.

In addition to this shaping of the block or card to the outline or contour of the animal, bird, flower, or object portrayed, it will carry the names of the same; for instance, Cat; Dog; &c., Duck; Jay; &c., Rose; Daisy; &c., House; Boat; &c., and these words will be in large letters, extending substantially over the entire face of the block or card. In addition, each block or 'card will carry a large-sized initial letter of the name or word on the card or block indicating the animal, bird, flower, or other object outlined by such card or block.

The cards or blocks so made may then be cut up, and this cutting may be in relatively large pieces or in small pieces. When the card or block is cut in relatively large pieces, I prefer to have the same number of pieces as the letters of the Word on the card. For instance, if the card or block represents an animal whose name contains four letters, the block will be cut into four pieces, and so on. These cuts may be straight, zigzag or curved,-as may be desired, but are so arranged that each piece will carry one of the letters of the word. When, however,

the blocks or cards are cut into smaller and lines common to the sections or pieces 2 of the ordinary cut up picture puzzles.

In order to distinguish the sections or pieces of the respective blocks or cards, the backs of the same bear a distinguishing tone or shade or color, or a special design, or they may be lined in a special manner.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1, shows a card or block 1, shaped like a cat in a reclining position, which card or block bears the word C A T, in relatively large letters and the initial letter C of much larger size. This card or block may be divided on the lines 00 into three pieces, each piece bear-' ing one letter of the word C A T.

In Fig. 2, I have shown a back view of the block or card illustrated in Fig. 1, the same being lined to indicate color; in the present instance red. On this view I have outlined by the lines 1 one manner in which this card or block may be cut into sections, following the lines of the ordinary picture puzzles.

In Fig. 3, I have shown a sectional view on the line IIIIII, Fig. 2, of the card or block 1, with a horizontal base portion 2 (indicated by broken lines in Figs. 1 and 2,) whereby it may be disposed in a grooved mount 3. This mount may be of any suitable material; preferably heavier than the card -or block, so as to afford a stable support for the same.

-The several blocks or "cards 1*, 1 and 1, shown in Figs. 4, 7 and 10, and illustrating respectively a duck; a rose, and a boat, are shown as prepared in a manner substantially similar to the card or block 1 illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. In Fig. 5, however, I have shown the back of the card or block illustrated in Fig. 4, provided with a special design for identification purposes; in Fig. 9, I have shown the back of the card or block illustrated in Fig. 8, specially lined for identification purposes without reference to color, and in Fig. 11, I have shown the back of the card or block illustrated in Fig. 10, with a special identifying pattern or' design. The identifying means may be in endless variety and may be combined with varlous-colors to msuresufliclent dliferentia- .in the 'form of a picture block having the name of the picture displayed thereon in large letters wlth an independent initial letter of such name displayed in much larger size; such block having a contour corre-' sponding to the object portrayed and being. divisible into a plurality of sections; said sections having common identifying matter thereon whereby they may be distinguished from those of another block.

2. Asa new article of manufacture, a set of toys in the form of picture cards or blocks, each having the name of the picture displayed thereon in large letters with an independent initial letter of such name displayed on the respective blocks in much larger size; each of said cards or blocks hav- .70 ing a different contour corresponding'to the object portrayed-and being divisible into a plurality ofsections; the sections of each of said blocks or cards having comm'on identifying matter thereon whereby they may be 715 distinguished from the sections of other. blocks or cards.

3. As a new article of manufacture, a toy in the form of a picture block having the name of the picture displayed thereon in large letters with an independent initial-letter of such name displayed iii much larger size; such block having a contour corresponding to the object portrayed and being divisible'into a plurality of sections; each'85 of said sections carrying one letter of the name of the picture. I

4. As a new article of manufacture, a toy in the form of a picture block shaped to represent an animal, bird, flower, or the like and divisible into a number of sections; each section carrying one letter of the name of the pictured object and said block having its back provided with common identifying; means for the several sections whereby they. may be distinguished from other picture. blocks of the same character.

5. As a new article of manufacture, an educational toy in the form of a picture card or block having a contour corresponding to the object portrayed and the name of the object or picture displayed thereon in large letters, such block being divisible into a plurality of sections equaling the number of letters in the name and each of said setions carrying one letter of the name of the picture or object portrayed.

WILLIAM H. S. ALEXANDER. 

